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Meet Your Maker

Meet Your Maker: Preston Made

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Our Modern Market series looks to highlight some of the best makers and artists from the Twin Cities and beyond. Each one of our vendors embody the Midwest’s unique take on modern living. These artisans are woodworkers, jewelry designers, leather workers, culinary artists and graphic designers.

Courtesy of Preston Made

Preston Made brings the outdoors inside with its beautiful wooden creations. Their bangles provide substance to any outfit, their cutting boards provide warmth to any home. Preston Made’s designs allow the wood to speak for itself.

Tell us a little about yourself. What’s your background?

I’ve been working with wood as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories involve exploring behind the family cabin, axe in hand, harvesting a few small trees to drag back to the cabin where they became benches and side tables. I’ve since graduated to much better materials, but the desire to create and connect with the outdoors remains.

Tell us more about Preston Made.

We believe that the products you surround yourself with should be unique and special. Items used to entertain, explore, and share; handcrafted pieces that resonate with you and your life story. Rather than designing for mass production, PrestonMade wholeheartedly and intentionally creates pieces to be the highlight of your home and your adventures. Using only the finest woods and materials, the pieces we create combine the rusticity of the north woods with the timelessness of the city. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, PrestonMade was founded by Preston and Angela Anderson in 2015 out of their shared love for quality, handmade goods that were thoughtfully designed. Preston has been creating unique pieces of functional art for over a decade, and continues to hone his craft. He has created everything from paddles to tables, bangles to cutting boards, and almost everything in-between.

How do you go about creating new woodworking designs?

I want to create beautiful things, and I want them to be used. They need to be functional, but they should also be beautiful when not in use. Many of our products work well as design elements in the home.

Where do you go to get inspired?

We spend a lot of time outside. At the cabin near the Boundary Waters, skiing, hiking, fishing, and also around Minneapolis by the river and the lakes. The beauty of the outdoors is pervasive and undeniable. It’s simple, and delicate, with many fine details. This simplicity and beauty is what we try and capture.

What makes the Midwest, and specifically Minnesota, unique for makers?

The makers in our area are very inclusive, and cheer each other on. It’s a friendly environment where people want to see each other succeed. This allows for many creatives to be very creative!

What makes shopping local special?

Shopping local is shopping from your neighbor. The sale may be small, or large, but it helps support the dream of a local creative or family business. Almost every business and idea starts small, you never know what you could be discovering or helping create.

Who are other makers in your community that we should know more about?

I love Guarded Goods. Clean lines, and highly functional leather work. Dust and Form is another favorite. Simple, and beautiful. When the materials, form, and process can speak for itself you know you have a great product.

What’s one thing a non-Midwestern native should know about the region?

There is way more than meets the eye. Explore it and you will find many a hidden gem!

What’s something exciting for Preston Made that we can expect coming up?

We have a lot in the pipeline! We’re excited to introduce a new line of bangles this spring, brining color and texture to one of our favorite items.

Shop a variety of Preston Made wooden pieces at Modern Midwest’s second annual Modern Market in Minneapolis’ North Loop. The Marker will feature a wide variety of vendors that embody the Midwest’s distinct take on modern living. Enjoy local food and drink, from Indeed Brewing and Salty Tart while supporting the Minneapolis maker community!